Karen Quartaro of the Finger Lakes Visiting Nurse Service gave a presentation on the “We Honor Veterans” program, which partners with Ontario Yates Hospice.  Before she started her presentation she asked anyone who was a veteran or had a family member who are/were veterans, to please stand.  She thanked them for their service.

We Honor Veterans, is a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs.  By recognizing the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families, community providers, in partnership with VA staff, will learn how to accompany and guide them through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.

There are four levels of the We Honor Veterans Program:

• Education – Staff and Volunteer Education and Programs
• Organizational Policies and Procedures
• Hospice Veteran Partnerships

One of the most important parts of this program is the Pinning Ceremony.

• The purpose of the pinning ceremony is to publicly acknowledge the military service and sacrifices made by the Veteran and his/her family.
• A blanket and pin are given to each veteran at the ceremony

Geneva Rotary’s grant will be used to fund this program.